Quebec Doctors Departing as Health Care Crisis Deepens

The health care system in Quebec is facing a significant crisis as hundreds of physicians are leaving the province for opportunities in other regions. Recent reports indicate that since October 23, 2023, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has received *285 applications* from Quebec doctors seeking to practice in Ontario, with over *20 applications* submitted in just the past two days. This exodus follows the passage of a controversial piece of legislation known as **Bill 2**, which links physician compensation to patient performance targets.

Many residents in the Outaouais region are particularly affected by this trend. Karine Guy, a local resident, expressed her concerns after learning that her family doctor, who has cared for them over the past six years, plans to leave. Guy’s husband is also a patient of the same physician, and she anticipates having approximately three months to find a replacement. “I am really worried, to be honest, because knowing it’s really difficult to find a doctor, to have access to the system without going to the emergency and [having to] wait 48 hours,” she stated. “I hope they will find a solution for us.”

Bill 2 is set to take effect on **January 1, 2024**, and has drawn criticism from many in the medical community. It mandates that physician salaries be tied to the number of patients they manage, a change that many doctors argue will hinder their ability to deliver quality care.

The situation has prompted swift action from neighboring provinces. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario reported that it has granted *42 certificates* to Quebec doctors since the influx began. Premier Doug Ford of Ontario has publicly welcomed the physicians, stating, “I’m not targeting Quebec doctors — if they call me, I return their call.” His administration appears eager to attract these professionals to alleviate the pressure on Ontario’s health system.

The impact of these resignations extends beyond the individual doctors and their patients. Clinics in Quebec are now scrambling to manage the fallout. At the **Groupe de Médecine Familiale de Gatineau**, two doctors have resigned, leaving the clinic unable to accommodate the *3,500 patients* they served. Dr. Annie Gervais, the head physician at the clinic, lamented, “We can’t absorb them,” highlighting the increasing strain on health care resources in the region.

In response to the ongoing situation, Santé Québec, the province’s public health agency, is monitoring the departures closely, although they have not provided further comments on the matter. This underscores the seriousness of the health care crisis in Quebec, which has seen an increasing number of doctors resigning in protest against legislative changes.

As the situation unfolds, the future of health care in Quebec hangs in the balance. With many residents struggling to secure adequate medical care, the pressure mounts on provincial authorities to address the concerns raised by medical professionals and ensure that patients are not left without essential services. The coming months will be critical as the effects of **Bill 2** become evident and the search for solutions intensifies.